Vehicles for rock drill guiding and supporting structures

ABSTRACT

A rock-drilling vehicle adapted to have one or more rock drill guiding and supporting structures adjustably mounted thereon is formed with a T-frame structure including at least one hollow structural member in which a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;vehicle operation fluid&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; such as compressed air, flushing water or hydraulic fluid is stored. The longitudinal structural member of the chassis structure of such a vehicle is usefully adjustably secured to a transverse structural frame to permit ready disassembly of the vehicle, as required. The &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;vehicle operation fluid&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; may be used for such purposes as operating pneumatically powered rock drill, pneumatically operated drill guiding and supporting structures, pneumatically operated drill steel centering devices, hydraulically operated drill advance-retract mechanisms, pneumatically operated vehicle drive motors and hydraulically operated stabilizing legs.

[ 1 Feb. 15, 1972 VEHICLES FOR ROCK DRILL GUIDING AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURES Primary Examinr-Emest R. Purser AttorneyCecil C. Kent [57] ABSTRACT A rock-drilling vehicle adapted to have one or more rock drill guiding and supporting structures adjustably mounted thereon is formed with a T-frame structure including at least one hollow structural member in which a vehicle operation fluid such as compressed air, flushing water or hydraulic fluid is stored. The longitudinal structural member of the chassis structure of such a vehicle is usefully adjustably secured to a transverse structural frame to permit ready disassembly of the vehicle, as required. The vehicle operation fluid" may be used for such purposes as operating pneumatically powered rock drill, pneumatically operated drill guiding and supporting structures, pneumatically operated drill steel centering devices, hydraulically operated drill advance-retract mechanisms, pneumatically operated vehicle drive motors and hydraulically operated stabilizing legs.

12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PAIENYEBFEB 15 I972 SHEET 1 OF 7 INVEN /OR. MAC GORDQN WILLS W ammiorney PATENTEDFEB 1' 5 I972 SHEET 2 OF 7 Inventor MAC GORDON WILLS by.- M ammtomey PATENTEnrm '15 1912 sum 6 0r 7 5 M m m mw m ww ND e 6 C. A M

FIG. 77

IN VliN 'IOR. MAC GORDON WILLS QGZZ C MAttokr wy VEHICLES FOR ROCK DRILL GUIDING AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to vehicles adapted to support one or more rock drill guiding and supporting structures, which vehicles are particularly suited for use in cut-and-flll stopping operations.

Existing methods of drilling in such operations generally involve the use of handheld drills or the use of relatively complex and expensive drill-supporting vehicles.

A principle object of the present invention is to provide a simple vehicle on which one or more drill guiding and supporting structures may be adjustably mounted whereby a single operator can control one or more rock drills with reduced fatigue and with greater accuracy and safety.

It is another object of this invention to provide a vehicle of the aforementioned type which vehicle is characterized by the ease with which it can be dismantled so as to facilitate its movement to a required location.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest scope, the present invention provides a vehicle adapted to support one or more rock drill guiding and supporting structures, which vehicle comprises a T-frame chassis structure including a transversely disposed structural frame having transversely spaced apart first and second ground-engaging members mounted thereon and a structural frame member extending longitudinally from said transversely disposed structural frame and having a third ground-engaging member mounted thereon, said chassis structure including at least one hollow structural member adapted to accommodate a vehicle operation fluid, and a fluid flow control and transfer means for controlling the flow of such vehicle operation fluid from within said hollow structural member to'a vehicle operation means on said vehicle.

A particularly important advantage resulting from such utilization of one or more hollow structural members of the chassis structure of a vehicle in accordance with the invention is that the fluid distribution system can be simplified and the risk of the various fluid lines being damaged or becoming fouled with other equipment during operation of the vehicle is considerably reduced.

The expression vehicle operation fluid when used herein and in the claims appended hereto is intended to embrace any gases or liquids which may be used for driving the vehicle and for operating fluid-operated rock drills and fluid-operated drill guiding and supporting structures and other accessories provided on such a vehicle for use in a drilling operation. It is intended, for instance, to embrace both compressed air and hydraulic fluids which may be used to power drills and to actuate the feed mechanism of drill guiding and supporting structures. It is intended also to embrace liquids such as water which may be used in drilling operations for flushing purposes. Similarly, the expression vehicle operation means" is intended to embrace means which are operated by such fluids.

The present invention also provides a novel braking system for a wheeled vehicle according to the invention, which vehicle is adapted adjustably to support drill guiding and supporting structures, and further details of one embodiment of such a braking system will be described hereinafter in greater detail. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the foregoing in view, and such other or further purposes, advantages or novel features as may become apparent from consideration of this disclosure and specification, the present invention consists of the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied, embraced, or included in the method, process, construction, composition, arrangement or combination of parts, or new use of any of the foregoing, herein exemplified in one or more specific embodiments of such concept, reference being had to the accompanying Figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat simplified plan view of one embodiment of a vehicle in accordance with the invention showing a pair of drill guiding and supporting structures adjustably mounted thereon and a single pneumatically operated rock drill detachably mounted on one of the drill guiding and supporting structures:

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the vehicle of FIG. I when viewed as indicated by the arrows 22 of that Figure with the rock drill and several component parts of the vehicle omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a vertical front end elevation of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 and 2 with several parts omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, vertical longitudinal section through one of the drill guiding and supporting structures of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 to 3 showing in greater detail the structure of the cable cylinder incorporated therein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse section through the cable cylinder of FIG. 4 when taken as indicated by the arrows 5--5 of that Figure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken as indicated by the arrows 66 of FIG. 4 through the mounting means by which the cable cylinder of FIGS. 4 and 5 is adjustably mounted on the vehicle of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged front perspective view of one useful embodiment of a drill steel-centering device as provided on the drill guiding and supporting structures of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 to 3, such centering device being shown in its closed or drill steel-engaging position with certain parts being shown in phantom outline;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the drill steel-centering device of FIG. 7 showing that device in its open or steel-releasing position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation similar to that of FIG. 2 showing an alternative embodiment of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention and showing a pneumatically operated rock drill detachably mounted on one of the drill guiding and supporting structures of the vehicle;

FIG. 10 is a front end elevation of the vehicle of FIG. 9 with the rock drill and certain components of the vehicle omitted for the sake of clarity, and the drill guiding and supporting structures provided on the vehicle being shown partly in section;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged transverse section through the cable cylinder of one of the drill guiding and supporting structures provided in the vehicle of FIGS. 9 and 10 when viewed as indicated by the arrows 11-11 of FIG. 9 but with the drill-supporting carriage of the drill guiding and supporting structure moved forwardly so as to be shown in section;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged and exploded perspective view from the rear of an alternative embodiment of a drill steel-centering device as provided on each of the drill guiding and supporting structures of the vehicle of FIGS. 9 and 10; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view with certain internal components shown in phantom outline of one of three hydraulic jacks provided in accordance with the useful feature of this invention on the vehicle shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

in the drawings like characters of reference designate similar parts in the several Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the vehicle generally indicated at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the vehicle 10 comprises a T-frame chassis structure in turn including a transversely disposed tubular structural frame member 11 and a longitudinally disposed tubular structural frame member 12. The hollow frame members 11 and 12 are, in accordance with a particularly useful feature of this invention, adjustably and detachably secured together by a clamping means generally indicated at 13 and including an upper saddle clamp 14, an intermediate saddle clamp and a lower saddle clamp 16, bolts 17 and nuts 18 serving firmly to hold these saddle clamps on the members 11 and 12. It will be appreciated that both the longitudinal and transverse positions of the longitudinal member 12 relative to the transverse member 11 may readily be adjusted and that the chassis structure of the vehicle 10 is easily dismantled to facilitate moving the vehicle to a different location in the event that it is impossible to move the vehicle without such disassembly.

Extending downwardly from the transverse member 11 and secured thereto, for example, by welding, there are provided a pair of upright members 19 and 20, on the lower ends of which there are rotatably mounted in any appropriate manner transversely spaced apart ground-engaging front wheels 21 and 22 respectively. If desired, the upright members 19 and may be secured adjustably to the transverse member 11 to permit adjustment of the transverse separation between the wheels 21 and 22.

At its rearward end, the vehicle 10 is provided with a steerable wheel 23 rotatably mounted between yoke arms 24 by shackles 25 holding a wheel axle 26. The rear wheel 23 and its mounting assembly are omitted from Figure 3 for the sake of clarity. A web 27 connecting the upper ends of the yoke arms 24 is provided with an upstanding pivot pin 28 extending through a sleeve 29 secured to a bracket 30 in turn secured to the rearward end of the hollow longitudinal member 12. A cap 31 secured on the upper end of the pivot pin 28 serves to retain this pin in position within the sleeve 29 and a lubricating nipple 32 is usefully provided in a conventional manner. A U- shaped handle 33 is conveniently pivotally mounted on the yoke arms 24 to enable the vehicle 10 to be pulled or towed over the ground.

In the particular vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, there are also provided mudguards 34 positioned over the front wheels 21 and 22, which mudguards also function as brakes. Each such mudguard/brake 34 comprises a generally curved member 35 having transversely disposed wheel-engaging ribs 36 provided on its undersurface. These curved members members 35 are reinforced by plates 37 and 38 which are secured, for example, by welding, to a respective sleeve 39 in which the outer end of a respective crank arm 40 is pivotally received, the sleeve 39 being retained in position on the respective crank arm 40 by a split pin 41. Lubricating nipples 42 are usefully provided in the sleeves 39. Each crank arm 40 is suitably pivotally and slidably supported in a transversely disposed sleeve 43 secured to a respective one of the aforementioned upright members 19 and 20. The sleeves 43 may similarly be provided with lubricating nipples 44. At their inner ends, the crank arms 40 are adjustably secured in a transverse tubular member 45 by set screws 46. locking nuts 47 being provided to maintain the crank arms 40 locked to the tubular member 45 for corotation therewith.

A front brake rod 48 has a transversely extending tongue 49 passing through a hole provided in a downwardly projecting lug 50 secured, for example, by welding, to the aforementioned transverse tubular member 45. At it rearward end, the rod 48 is connected to a length-adjusting means such as a turnbuckle 51 from which a rear brake rod 52 extends to a brakeactuating handle 53. The handle 53 having a hand grip 54 is suitably pivoted at 55 to a bracket 56 secured in turn to the hollow longitudinal member 12, and above the pivot 55, the handle 53 is pivotally connected to the rear brake rod 52. A simple guide and detent mechanism in the form of a plate 57 secured, for example, by welding, to the longitudinal member 12, has a longitudinally extending slot 58 in which the handle 53 can be moved. At it rearward end, the slot 58 is widened as at 59 to provide a detent 60 for holding the handle 53 in its rearward position so that the ribs 36 of the mudguard/brakes 34 are held in frictional engagement with tires 61 on the front wheels 21 and 22 to prevent movement of the vehicle 10.

The vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has two drill guiding and supporting structures generally indicated at 62 and 63 adjustably mounted thereon'but such structures 62 and 63 are omitted from FIG. 3 for the sake of clarity. The guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 are generally identical to each other and a detailed description of only one of these structures will now be given. The same legends will be used for indicating corresponding components of the two structures.

The drill guiding and supporting structure 62 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 but omitted from FIG. 3 comprises a cable cylinder generally indicated at 64 on adjustable mounting means general indicated at 65 and a drill steelcentering device generally indicated at66. In FIG. 1, the drill guiding and supporting structure 62 is shown with a pneumatically operated rock drill generally indicated at 67 detachably supported thereon and with a hollow drill steel 68 disposed in the drill 67 and extending forwardly therefrom through the respective one of the aforementioned centering devices 66. The drill guiding and supporting structure 62 is further shown as being detachably and adjustably mounted by means of the mounting means 65 on the aforementioned hollow transverse structural frame member 11.

Referring now in greater detail to the structure of the cable cylinder 64, it will be seen that this cable cylinder 64 is in the form of an elongated member 69 having a first or forward end 70 and a second or rearward end 71. A cylindrical bore 72 extends through the elongated member 69. First and second closure means generally indicated at 73 and 74 (FIG. 4) are provided at the first and second ends 70 and 71 respectively of the elongated member 69 and serves to close the respective ends of the cylindrical bore 72.

A carriage generally indicated at 75 is slidably mounted externally on the elongated member 69 for longitudinal reciprocation therealong in a manner which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. A piston generally indicated at 76 is disposed within the aforementioned cylindrical bore 72 for longitudinalreciprocation therein and defines with the first and second closure members 73 and 74 respectively, first and second variable volume cylinder chambers 77 and 78 respectively.

A first cable 79 is secured to and extends from the piston 76 through the first cylinder chamber 77 and around a first support means disposed adjacent the forward end 70 of the elongated member 69 and, in the structure illustrated, this first support means is in the form of a pivotally mounted pulley 80. From the pulley 80, the first cable 79 extends longitudinally and externally of the elongated member 69 to the carriage 75 to which it is secured in a manner which will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

A second cable 81 similarly interconnects the carriage 75 and the piston 76 but the cable 81 extends through the second cylinder chamber 78 and over a support means comprising a pulley 82 pivotally mounted adjacent the rearward end 71 of the elongated member 69.

The structure of the cable cylinder 64 is essentially completed by the provision of fluid ports 83 and 84 for the supply and discharge of compressed air to and from the first and second cylinder chambers 77 and 78 respectively.

Although the structure of the cable cylinder 64 has now been essentially described, further details of the specific construction therefor as illustrated in the accompanying drawings will be given herein before the operation of that cable cylinder is described. Referring further, therefore, to the piston 76, with particular reference to FIG. 4, it will be seen that this piston 76 comprises a piston body 85 having suitable piston sleeves 86 of a resilient material such as leather disposed therearound for the purpose of providing a substantially fluidtight seal with the inner surface of the wall of the cylindrical bore 72. Axially extending piston plates 87 and 88 are secured to the piston body 85 and the first and second cables 79 and 81 are secured to these piston plates 87 and 88 respectively by saddle clamps and screws as indicated at 89.

As will best be seen from FIG. 5, the aforementioned carriage 75 comprises a baseplate 90 adapted guidingly to be supported on the top surface of the elongated member 69. Op-

posed outwardly and longitudinally extending guide flanges 91 are integrally formed with a downwardly and longitudinally extending central leg 92 which is in turn integrally formed with the baseplate 90. The guide flanges 91 are slidably received within opposed, longitudinally extending guideways 93 extending transversely outwardly from a longitudinally extending channel provided centrally in the top surface of the elongated member 69. It will be appreciated that, with this particular construction, the carriage 75 is restrained against transverse and vertical movement with respect to the elongated member 69 but is free to undergo longitudinal reciprocation therealong as will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

The forward or first cable 79 is secured to the carriage 75 by means of a forward plate 94 suitably secured in turn, for example, by welding, to the forward end of the baseplate 90. Saddle clamps 95 and screws 96 serve to secure the cable 79 rigidly to the plate 94. The second cable 81 is similarly secured to a rear plate 97 by saddle clamps 98 and screws 99. The rear plate 97 is not, however, rigidly connected to the baseplate 90 of the carriage 75 but is, instead, slidingly supported on a fixed rear plate 100 rigidly connected, for example, by welding, to the baseplate 90.

A cable-tensioning device generally indicated at 101 comprises a forwardly extending bolt 102, the head of which is secured to the slidably rear plate 97. The shaft of the bolt 102 extends freely through an opening in an upstanding flange 103 secured to the rearward end of the baseplate 90. A helical compression spring 104 surrounds the shaft of bolt 102 forwardly of the flange 103 and is held in place by washer 105 and locknuts 106. The carriage 75 is suitably provided with an adapter 107 and a stop member 108 adapted to support and retain a rock drill such as rock drill 67 thereon.

Referring again to the pulleys 80 and 82, it will be seen that these pulleys are pivotally supported by transversely disposed shafts formed by bolts 109 retained in position by nuts 110. The bolts 109 pass through bifurcated, longitudinally extending arms 111 and 112 suitably secured to the forward and rearward ends 70 and 71 respectively of the elongated member 69. The rearward arms 112 are strengthened by simple end plate 113.

The first and second closure members 73 and 74 respectively are in the form of generally cylindrical plugs disposed partially within the respective ends of the cylindrical bore 72 and retained in position, for example, by welding or by any suitable threaded or other engagement with the elongated member 69. Each of these plugs has a bore through which a respective one of the first and second cables 79 and 81 slidably extends. Each such bore contains a suitable fluid seal retained in position by a gland nut 114 to prevent the escape of compressed air from within the cylinder chambers 77 and 78. A further seal in the form of an O-ring 115 is usefully provided between each of the aforementioned plugs and the inner surface of the wall of the bore 72.

The fluid ports 83 and 84 are usefully provided with suitable nipples to which fluid-carrying hoses 116 and 1 17 respectively are secured in any appropriate manner. Referring further to the elongated member 69, it will be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings that this member 69 is provided with opposed, longitudinally extending keyways 118 and 119 in its side walls and that these keyways 118 and 119 are slidably received between corresponding locking members or tongues 120 and 121 respectively of the adjustable mounting means 65. In particular, it is to be noted that this portion of the mounting means 65 comprises a body 122 having the tongue 121 integrally formed therewith. The opposed tongue 120 is integrally formed with a movable plate 123 which is carried by a bolt 124 extending therethrough and through the body 122. A nut 125 serves to tighten the tongues 120 and 121 in the keyways 118 and 119 respectively to clamp the elongated member 69 so preventing longitudinal movement of that elongated member 69 through the mounting means 65.

Diverging downwardly and outwardly from the body 122 and integrally formed therewith, there is provided a generally circular, frustoconical member 126. The lower end of this member 126 is rotatably received between a generally arcuate, upwardly extending flange 127 (FIG. 2) integrally formed with an upper saddle clamp 128 and a generally arcuate flange 129 of a clamping plate 130 supported by a bolt 131 which in turn extends through the upper saddle clamp 128. A nut 132 is provided for holding the arcuate flanges 127 and 129 firmly against the frustoconical member 126 to prevent undesired rotation of the elongated member 69.

Four bolts 133 extend downwardly from the upper saddle clamp 128 freely through a lower saddle clamp 134 and nuts 135 are provided for clamping the saddle clamps 128 and 134 securely about the transverse member 11 of the vehicle 10.

Referring now in greater detail to the centering device 66 provided on each of the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 of the vehicle 10, it will be seen particularly by reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings that each such means 66 comprises a pair of upstanding arms 136 and 137 pivotally mounted about bolts 138 extending through upstanding transversely disposed plates 139 and 140, which bolts 138 are secured by nuts 141. The arms 136 and 137 are provided at their upper ends with transverse inward extensions 142 formed in their opposed inner surfaces with opposed semicircular recesses 143 which encircle a drill steel such as drill steel 68 when the arms 136 and 137 are pivoted together to the positions actually shown in FIG. 7. On relative pivoting movement of the arms 136 and 137 away from each other under the control of a cylinder means generally indicated at 144, the drill steel 68 is disengaged by the arms 136 and 137 and can consequently readily be removed from therebetween when desired. The aforementioned inward extensions 142 are usefully reinforced by plates 145 formed with recesses which are aligned with the aforementioned recesses 143.

The cylinder means 144 includes a cylinder 146 provided at its blind end with an axial extension 147 pivotally connected to the arms 136 at 148. A bifurcated downward extension 149 of the arms 136 is provided for this purpose. A piston rod 150 extending from a piston 151 within the cylinder 146 is similarly pivotally connected at 152 to a downward bifurcated extension 153 of the aforementioned arm 137. Fluid hoses 154 and 155 serve to supply and discharge fluid to and from the cylinder 146 for moving the arms 136 and 137 of the centering device 66 between the positions actually shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8, the aforementioned upstanding plates 139 and 140 are secured to a base bracket 156 which is inturn secured to a rearwardly extending baseplate 157 by means of which the centering device 66 can be detachably secured on the forward end of a respective one of the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 of the vehicle 10. For this purpose the baseplate 157 has secured thereto a fixed guide plate 158 received within the forward end of the aforementioned keyway 118 of the elongated member 69. A bolt 159 is loosely received through a hole in a movable clamping plate 160 which is held in the keyway 119 of the elongated member 69 by means of a nut 161. Stop plates 162 and 163 are secured to the rear surfaces of the arms 136 and 137 respectively transversely outwardly of the aforementioned upstanding plates 139 and 140 respectively and each of the stop plates 162 and 163 is provided with a sloping surface 164 for abutment with an outer edge of a corresponding one of the plates 139 and 140 to prevent outward movement of the arms 136 and 137 beyond the positions actually shown in FIG. 8 and to ensure that both such anns are moved away from a drill steel on actuation of the cylinder means 144.

Although the rock drill 67 itself forms no part of the present invention, it will be of value in understanding the operation and use of the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 of the vehicle 10 of the invention to note that the drill 67 is provided with a hose 165 for the supply of compressed air thereto and with a second hose 166 for the supply of flushing water. The air supplied through the hose 165 serves to operate the drill 67 while the water supplied through the hose 166 is passed through the hollow drill steel 68 and serves to flush out dust and dirt from the hole being drilled as well as serving to cool the drill steel 68.

The control valves and fluid distribution system provided on the vehicle 10 for supplying compresses air to the cable cylinders 64 to the rock drills 67 and to the cylinders 146 of the centering devices 66 and for supplying water to the rock drills 67 will now be described.

For the particular vehicle 10, the aforementioned hollow transverse structural member 11 is used as a water reservoir and to this end is provided with a suitable feed nipple to which a water supply hose 167 is connected for the supply of water thereinto. Waterflow control valves 168 are provided for controlling the flow of water to the respective rock drills 67.

In the vehicle 10, the hollow longitudinal structural member 12 similarly functions as a compressed air reservoir, air under pressure being supplied thereinto from a suitable source through a feed hose 169 and a check valve 170. From the structural member 12, air is supplied through lubricators 171 to pairs of valves 172, 173 and 174. The valves 172 are used to control the flows of compressed air through the hoses 165 leading to the rock drills 67 while the valves 173 are used to control the supply of compressed air to the hoses 154 and 155 leading to the cylinders 146 of the centering devices 66 and the valves 174 are used to control the supply of compressed air to the hoses 116 and 117 leading to the cable cylinders 64. The invention is, however in no way restricted to the use of any particular arrangement of control valves.

In the use in rock drilling of the vehicle 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, the vehicle 10 is first moved to a desired location either by towing it along the mine floor or by first dismantling it and moving it in a disassembled condition to the desired location for reassembly at such location. With vehicle 10 assembled at the desired location, each of the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 is then secured in a desired position on the transverse member 11 of the vehicle 10, the correct transverse and vertical angular positions of the elongated members 69 on the transverse member 11 being obtained before the nuts 135 (FIG. 6) are tightened on the bolts 133. By loosening the nuts 132 (FIG. 2), the elongated members 69 may be rotated about the axes of the frustoconical members 126 to any desired angular positions thereabout and then held in such positions by tightening the nuts 132.

Further adjustment of thepositions of the elongated members 69 can be obtained by loosening the nuts 125 (FIG. 6) to permit the keyways 118 and 119 to be slid between the tongues 120 and 121 respectively. Once the elongated members 69 are in the desired positions, the nuts 125 are tightened to hold the tongues 120 and 121 firmly in position in the keyways 118 and 119 respectively and so to clamp the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 firmly on the vehicle 10.

Adjustment of the tension in the cables 79 and 81 ofeach of the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 is obtained simply by turning the appropriate locknuts 106. Rock drills, such as rock drill 67, are then secured on the respective carriage 75 by bolts (not shown) which extend through holes 174 in the aforementioned adapters 107. The drill steel 68 is then inserted and locked in the respective drill 67 in a conventional manner, and, with the vehicle 10 coupled to hoses 167 and 169 for the supply of water and compressed air respectively thereto, the arms 136 and 137 of the respective centering means 66 are pivoted towards each other to the positions actually shown in FIG. 7 by operation of the fluid control valves 173 so that the respective drill steel 68 is encircled by the recesses 143 and is, therefore, fully supported forwardly of the rock drill 67.

The control valves 174 are then actuated to supply compressed air to the hoses 116 in turn to supply compressed air to the respective forward cylinder chamber 77 and to permit air to discharge from the respective rearward cylinder chamber 78. Such operation causes the piston 76 within the bore 72 of the respective one of the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 to move rearwardly (to the left in FIG. 4). This movement is transmitted through the cables 79 and 81 to cause the carriage 75 carrying the rock drill 67 to move forwardly (to the right in FIGS. 2 and 4), the carriage 75 being guided on the guideways 93 (FIG. 5) of the elongated member 69. When it is required to retract the drill steel 68. the aforementioned control valve 174 is operated to vent the forward cylinder chamber 77 and to supply compressed air to the rearward cylinder chamber 78 to cause the piston 76 to move forwardly and the carriage 75 to move rearwardly. The vehicle 10 may then be moved a desired distance along the mine floor and the hereinbefore described sequence then repeated to drill a further set of drill holes.

One particularly advantageous feature of the structure already described herein with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings should be particularly noted. By constructing the drill steel centering devices 66 so that the appropriate structural members, i.e., the arms 136 and 137, thereof can be disengaged from a drill steel such as drill steel 68 once a drill hole has been initiated, wear of such structural members is considerably reduced and increased useful lives for such centering devices are consequently obtained.

It should also be noted that the elongated members 69 including the bores 72, the guideways 93 and the keyways 118 and 119 can be formed as unitary structures. Such a structure can, for example, readily be formed by an extrusion technique from aluminum or from an alloy thereof. The fabrication or extrusion of such elongated members by other procedures and from other materials is not, however, precluded.

An alternative embodiment of a vehicle in accordance with the present invention will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 of the accompanying drawings. The rock drill supporting vehicle generally indicated at in FIGS. 9 and 10 has may features in common with the structure already described and identical components will be indicated in FIGS. 9 to 12 by the same legends as already used herein with reference to the vehicle shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 to avoid the need for duplication of the description.

It will be seen, for instance, that the vehicle 180 includes a longitudinally extending tubular tubular frame member 181 similar to the member 12 of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 to 8 but that, instead of the single transversely extending tubular frame member of the vehicle 10, the vehicle 180 includes a transver sely disposed structural frame generally indicated at 182 and including two transversely spaced apart upright tubular members 183 and 184 interconnected by a lower transverse tubular member 185 and by an upper transverse tubular member 186. The longitudinal frame member 181 is secured to the lower transverse member 185 by the clamping means 13 while the upper and lower transverse members 186 and 185 respectively are secured to the upright members 183 and 184, for example, by welding, although adjustable securement of such members is also possible.

At their lower ends, the upright members 183 and 184 are integrally formed with transversely outwardly extending sections 187 and 188 respectively in which axles 189 and 190 respectively carrying from wheels 21 and 22 respectively are suitably journaled.

Each of the axles 189 and 190 has ,keyed thereon a driven sprocket 191. A pneumatically operated motor 192 is mounted on a bracket 193 suitably secured, for example, by welding, to the lower end of a respective one of the upright members 183 and 184. Each such motor 192 is operatively coupled to a speed-reducing gearbox 194 having an output drive sprocket 195. A chain 196 is entrained around each pair of sprockets 191 and for the transfer of drive power to a respective one of the front wheels 21 and 22. Each motor 192 is provided with air hoses 197 and 198 for the supply of compressed air thereto when operation of the motor in either direction is required for driving a respective one of the wheels 21 and 22. The valve system by which compressed air is supplied to the hoses 197 and 198 will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

The vehicle 180 has a steerable rear wheel 199 (omitted from FIG. generally identical to the rear wheel 23 of the vehicle 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3. The rear wheel 199 is mounted between yoke arms 24 in turn pivotally mounted on a bracket 30 suitably secured to the rearward end of the longitudinal member 181, a handle 33 being provided for steering the vehicle 180. As indicated, the wheel 199 is generally identical to the wheel 23 of the vehicle 10 and, in fact, differs therefrom only in having a lug 200 permanently secured thereto. The purpose of the lug 200 will become apparent as the description herein proceeds.

The vehicle 180 is provided with a mudguard/brake system generally identical to the system already described herein for the vehicle 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3. Specific details of the construction of such mudguard/brake system will not, therefore, be described further herein. 7

The vehicle 180 of FIGS. 9 and 10 is further similar to the vehicle 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 in having two drill guiding and supporting structures adjustably mounted thereon but the two drill guiding and supporting structures generally indicated at 201 and 202 in FIGS. 9 and 10 differ somewhat from the drill guiding and supporting structures 62 and 63 provided on the vehicle 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3. Identical components of such structures will, however, be identified by the same legends as in FIGS. 1 to 3. Since the drill guiding and supporting structures 201 and 202 are generally identical to each other, the construction of only one of these structures will be described further herein. Each of the structures 201 and 202 includes a cable cylinder 203 having a carriage 75 on which a rock drill 67 holding a drill steel 68 can be mounted exactly as already described. The drill guiding and supporting structure 201 also includes a drill steel centering device generally indicated at 204 and a mounting means generally indicated at 205.

The cable cylinder 203 is identical to the cable cylinder 64 shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings except that the elongated member 69 thereof additionally includes longitudinally extending bores 206 and 207 (FIG. 11) which are usefully provided for the purpose of supplying air under pressure to the centering device 204 for operation of that device. Each of the bores 206 and 207 is in fluid communication with a respective forward nipple located near the forward end 70 of the elongated member 69 and with a respective rearward nipple located near the rearward end 71 of the elongated member 69. Hoses 208 and 209 are coupled to the rearward nipples for the flow of pressurized fluid into a respective one of the aforementioned bores 206 and 207 from a control valve 210 or for the return of pressurized fluid from the other of such bores.

A hose 211 is shown as being coupled to the forward nipple of the bore 206 for the flow of pressurized fluid between that bore and the blind end of a fluid-operated cylinder 212 forming part of the aforementioned centering device 204. A second hose 213 is suitably provided between the rod end of the cylinder 212 and a forward nipple of the bore 207. The provision of such additional bores in the elongated member 69 of the cable cylinder 203 is beneficial in that it reduces the length of unprotected hose required on a rock drilling vehicle structure on which the drill guiding and supporting structure 201 is mounted and therefore considerably reduces the risk of damage to such hoses during operation of such vehicle or structure.

It will also be seen from FIG. 9 that the hose 116 leading to the first or forward cylinder chamber 77 of the cable cylinder 203 is secured to the side of the elongated member 69 by saddle clamps 214 further to reduce the risk of damage to such hose,.

Referring now in greater detail to the structure of the centering device 204, it will be seen from FIGS. 9 and 12 that this device 204 includes a generally U-shaped drill steel-supporting member generally indicated at 215 and which is pivotally 10 mounted at 216 between a pair of forwardly extending upright plates 217 and 218 for movement between the upright steelengaging position shown in FIG. 9 and a steel-releasing position in which the member 215 is pivoted forwardly and downwardly as indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 9 from the position shown in that Figure.

A piston rod 219 extends forwardly from a piston head (not shown) within the cylinder 212 and this rod 219 is pivotally connected at 221 to a downward and slightly forward bifur cated extension 225 of the member 215. The cylinder 212 is itself pivotally mounted at 222 between a pair of transversely spaced apart, downwardly extending plates 223 secured to the elongated member 69 at the forward end 70 of the drill guiding and supporting structure 201.

Another useful feature includes in the rock drill guiding and supporting structure 201 shown in FIG. 9 comprises a hydraulically operated advance-retract mechanism generally indicated at 226 and forming part of the aforementioned mounting means 205. The advance-retract mechanism 226 is provided between the elongated member 69 and an adjustable mounting means 65 identical to that already described and is shown as being used to mount the drill guiding and supporting structure 201 on the upper transverse structural member 186. The advance-retract mechanism 226 includes a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 227 from which a piston rod 228 extends forwardly to a clamping means 229 to which it is pivotally attached at 230. The clamping means 229 includes a pair of plates 231 having opposed tongues which are received in the keyways 118 and 119 of the elongated member 69 and clamped in position therein by a bolt 232 in much the same manner as that shown in FIG. 6 for the tongues 120 and 121 of the mounting means 65.

At its rearward end, the cylinder 227 is pivotally mounted at 233 within a cylinder housing frame 234 which is formed with forward and rearward pairs of upstanding plates 235 and 236 respectively which are in turn provided with fixed tongues which are slidingly received in the keyways 118 and 119 of the elongated member 69. Hoses 237 and 238 are provided for the flow of pressurized fluid to and from the blind end and the rod end respectively of the cylinder 227, hoses 237 and 238 leading to a hydraulic control valve block 239. On operation of the cylinder 227 of the valves of the valve block 239, the elongated member 69 is moved forwardly or rearwardly as required relative to the supporting structure as represented by the structural member 186, the elongated member 69 sliding through the pairs of plates 235 and 236.

In the particular vehicle shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings, the aforementioned longitudinal tubular member 181 is utilized as a reservoir for compressed air and, for this purpose, is supplied with air under pressure from a suitable compressor (not shown) through a hose 240, a lubricator 241 being mounted on the tubular member 181 for the purpose of introducing a suitable liquid lubricant into the air flowing into the member 181. Air under pressure flows from the tubular member 181 to control valves 172, 174, 210 and 242 through a suitable manifold line generally indicated at 243. The valves 172, 174, 210 and 242 are mounted on a frame generally indicated at 244 suitably secured to the forward end of the longitudinal member 181. It will be understood that the control valves shown in FIG. 9 will be duplicated on the opposite side of the vehicle 180 for the purpose of controlling the operation of the other drill guiding and supporting structure 202, the other drill 67 and the motor 192 associated with the wheel 22.

The valve block 239 of the vehicle 180 forms part of a hydraulic pressure system including a hydraulic fluid pump 245 driven by an air operated motor 246, the operation of which is in turn controlled by an airflow control valve 247 effective to control the flow of air under pressure from the longitudinal tubular member 181 to the motor 246. The pump 245 is operative to withdraw hydraulic fluid from within the upright tubular member 183, which serves as a hydraulic fluid reservoir, through a fluid line 248 including a filter 249. From the pump 245, hydraulic fluid is supplied to the valve block 239 and to a valve block 250 through lines 251 and 252 respectively.

The valve block 239 is shown as being mounted on a ladder 253 in turn secured at 254 on the upper tubular transverse member 186 to permit an operator to climb on the vehicle 180 for such purposes as fitting rock drills such as rock drill 67 thereon and for making any necessary adjustments to the vehicle 180. A return line 255 extends from the valve block 239 to the upright member 183 and the latter is provided with a filler cap 256.

The valve block 250 is mounted on the longitudinal tubular member 181 in any appropriate manner and contains three hydraulic control valves 257 for controlling the supply and discharge of hydraulic fluid to and from three hydraulic jacks 258, 259 and 260, the jacks 258 and 259 being suitably secured to the lower ends of the aforementioned upright members 183 and 184 respectively and the jack 260 being secured to the longitudinal tubular member 181 in general proximity to the rearward end thereof. The construction of each of the jacks 258, 259 and 260 will now be described with reference to the jack 258 as shown in FIG. 13.

From FIG. 13, it will be seen that the jack 258 comprises a first or upper guide member 261 in the form of an elongated hollow member having a generally square cross-sectional configuration and an open lower end. A second or lower guide member 262 having an external configuration corresponding to the internal configuration of the upper guide member 261 is slidably received within that upper guide member 261 for axial reciprocating movement therein as indicated by the double-headed arrow B (FIG. 13). The purpose ofthe guide members 261 and 262 will become more apparent as the description herein proceeds.

At its lower end, the lower guide member 262 is rigidly secured, for example, by welding, to a ground-engaging plate generally indicated at 263. For this purpose, the plate 263 is provided with transversely spaced apart, upstanding flanges 264 and 265 to which the lower guide member 262 is secured. In accordance with a useful but optional feature of this invention, the plate 263 is formed with an irregular ground-engaging undersurface 266. In the particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13, such undersurface is shown as being provided with transversely extending ribs but the use of other patterns of ribs is equally possible.

The jack 258 also includes a hydraulically operated doubleacting ram which in turn comprises a cylinder 267 and a piston 268 having a piston rod 269 extending downwardly therefrom. At its upper end, the cylinder 267 has secured thereto an upstanding lug 270 through which a pivot pin 271 freely extends. The pivot pin 271 is supported in plates 272 and 273 suitably secured, for example, by welding, to opposite faces of the upper guide member 261, split pins 274 serving to retain the pivot pin 271 in position.

At its lower end, the aforementioned piston rod 269 is pivotally connected to the aforementioned ground-engaging plate 263 by means of a pivot pin 275 pivotally extending through holes provided for this purpose in the aforementioned upstanding flanges 264 and 265, split pins 276 being provided to retain this pivot pin 275 in position. The pivot pin 275 is provided with an upstanding radial sleeve adapter 277 within which the lower end of the piston rod 269 is secured, for example, by welding. It will be seen that the piston rod 269 is disposed essentially parallel to the common axis of the upper and lower guide members 261 and 262 respectively.

The upper and lower ends of the cylinder 267 are closed and a suitable seal (not shown) of any conventional type is provided for preventing excessive escape of hydraulic fluid from within the cylinder 267 through the lower end thereof around the piston rod 269.

Hoses 278 and 279 serve selectively to supply hydraulic fluid under pressure to a desired end of the cylinder 267 and to discharge said fluid from the other end of that cylinder to cause extension and retraction as required of the piston rod 269. Pairs of such hoses 278 and 279 extend from each of the jacks 258, 259 and 260 to the aforementioned valve block 250.

From FIG. 13, it will be seen that an opening 280 is provided for the free flow of air into and out of the upper guide member 261 of the jack 258. It is also to be noted that the jack 260 is secured directly to the longitudinal member 181 of the vehicle while the jacks 258 and 259 are connected to the upright tubular members 183 and 184 respectively by means of plates 281 and by means of short transverse members 282 on which the bearing sleeves 43 for the crank arms 40 of the mudguard/brake system are pivoted.

It is also to be noted that the vehicle 180 has suitably mounted on the frame 244 a level indicating device 284 of any appropriate type, such as a bubble level, and effective for indicating when the vehicle 180 is disposed horizontally in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

In use, the vehicle 180 is coupled to a suitable air compressor by the hose 240 and is driven into its precise location for a drilling operation, usefully by operation of the aforementioned motors 192 under the control of control valves 242. Having so been moved to such a desired location, the control valves 257 of the valve block 250 are selectively operated to permit the flow of hydraulic fluid under pressure from the pump 245 to the upper ends of the cylinders 267 of the jacks 258, 259 and 260 respectively and in turn to move the vehicle 180 on the mine floor into a desired level disposition as indicated by the level 284.

The positions of the drill guiding and supporting structures 201 and 202 on the vehicle 180 are then adjusted by means of the adjustable mounting means 65 into the desired angular, longitudinal and transverse positions. Rock drills, such as rock drill 67, are then fitted on the carriages 75 of the drill guiding and supporting structures 201 and 202.

The aforementioned control valves 210 are then actuated to move the drill steel-supporting members 215 of the drill steel centering devices 204 into their upright steel-engaging positions and drill steels such as drill steel 68 are then inserted into each of the rock drills 67.

The control valves 172 are then moved so as to cause operation of the respective rock drills 67 and consequently initiation of drill holes in the roof or wall of the mine. During such operation, the control valves 174 and the valves of the valve block 239 are operated, as required, to advance such drill steels forwardly. As soon as the drill holes have been initiated sufficiently to make the use of the drill steel-centering devices 204 unnecessary, such devices 204 are operated to move the drill steel-supporting members 215 of these devices into their steel-releasing positions by operation of the control valves 210.

Further forward advance of the drill steel is then obtained by operation of the control valve 174 and the valves of the valve block 239 as will readily be understood by those skilled in the art.

When the drill holes have been completed, the drill steels 68 are withdrawn from the respective drill holes by operation of the control valves 174 and the valves of the valve block 239. The control valves 257 of the valve block 250 are then operated to raise the ground-engaging plates 263 of the jacks 258, 259 and 260 from the mine floor. The control valves 242 can then be operated to actuate the motors 192 to move the vehicle 180 along the mine floor a desired distance for subsequently drilling a further set of bore holes in the mine roof or wall. If desired, such advance movement can be measured" by counting the number of revolutions made by the rear wheel 199 as indicated by movement of the aforementioned lug 200 provided on that wheel. After such advance movement, the control valves 257 can again be operated to lower the ground-engaging plates 263 of the jacks 258, 259 and 260 again to level the vehicle 180 and to permit further bore holes to be drilled in the mine roof or wall. The provision of such hydraulic jacks 258, 259 and 260 ensures that the drill holes obtained in the manner hereinbefore described are all disposed at the same angle to the horizontal.

The aforementioned lower tubular transverse member 185 of the vehicle 180 is also usefully used as was the member 11 of the vehicle of FIGS. 1 to 3 as a water reservoir for water which is used for flushing dirt and dust from the drill holes. To this end, water is supplied to the transverse member 185 from a suitable source through a supply hose 285. Control valves 286 are provided for controlling the flow of water from the transverse member 185 through the hoses 166 to a rock drill such as rock drill 67 mounted on the vehicle 180, from which drill such water flows through hollow drill steels such as drill steel 68 as is conventional.

Various modifications can be made within the scope of the inventive concept disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that what is set forth herein should be regarded as illustrative of such concept and not for the purpose of limiting protection to any particular embodiment thereof, and that only such limitations should be placed upon the scope of protection to which the inventor hereof is entitled, as justice dictates.

What is claimed is:

l. A vehicle adapted and designed to support one or more rock drill guiding and supporting devices, said vehicle being characterized in that it comprises and is substantially bounded, as viewed in plan by A. The integument of a substantially T-shaped chassis structure including i. an elongated longitudinally extending chassis member representing the leg of said T,

ii. an elongated transversely extending chassis member representing the arms of said T, and

iii. ground engaging members in the vicinity of the distal ends of said elongated member for supporting the said chassis structure elevated above ground level, at least one of said elongated members being hollow to accommodate a vehicle operating fluid, said chassis structure thereby being rotatable about the vertical axis of said longitudinal and transverse members and having substantial accommodation for manual drill guiding alongside said longitudinal chassis member and within the interior angles formed by said longitudinal chassis member and said transverse members, and

B. fluid flow control and transfer means for controlling the flow of said vehicle operated fluid from within said hollow member to a vehicle operating means ofsaid vehicle.

2. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to receive compressed air from a supply line, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of compressed air from within said hollow structural member to a pneumatically operated rock drill mounted on said vehicle.

3. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to receive compressed air from a supply line, which vehicle additionally includes a pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure adjustably mounted on said vehicle, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of air from within said hollow structural member to said pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure.

4. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 which vehicle additionally comprises a pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure adjustably mounted on said vehicle and second fluid flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of air from within said hollow structural member of said chassis structure to said pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure.

5. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to receive water from a supply line, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of water from within said hollow structural member to a rock drill mounted on said vehicle and having a hollow drill steel for drill hole-flushing purposes.

6. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to accommodate hydraulic fluid, which vehicle additionally comprises hydraulic pump means adapted to pump hydraulic fluid from within said hollow structural member of said chassis structure, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of said hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic pump means to a vehicle operation means of said vehicle.

7. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 which comprises a plurality of said fluid flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of vehicle operation fluid from within said hollow structural member of said chassis structure to a corresponding number of vehicle operation means.

9. A vehicle adapted to support one or more rock drill guiding and supporting structures, which vehicle comprises a T- frame chassis structure including a transversely disposed structural frame having transversely spaced apart first and second ground-engaging members mounted thereon, and a structural frame member extending longitudinally from said transversely disposed structural frame, and having a third ground-engaging member mounted thereon, said chassis structure including a first hollow structural member and a second hollow structural member, said first hollow structural member being adapted to receive compressed air from an air supply line, said second hollow structural member being adapted to receive water from a water supply line, said vehicle comprising first and second air flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of air from within said first hollow structural member to a pneumatically operated drill guiding and supporting structure adjustably mounted on said vehicle, and to a pneumatically operated rock drill supported on said drill guiding and supporting structure, water flow control and transfer means adapted to controlthe flow of water for drill hole-flushing purposes from within said second hollow structural member to said pneumatically operated rock drill, said drill being adapted to operate with a hollow drill steel, said chassis structure also including a third hollow structural member adapted to accommodate a hydraulic fluid and which vehicle additionally comprises hydraulic pump means adapted to pump hydraulic fluid from within said third hollow structural member, and hydraulic fluid flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic pump means to a hydraulically operated vehicle operation means.

10. A vehicle as defined in claim 9 which vehicle includes hydraulically operable advance-retract mechanism for moving said pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure relative to said chassis structure, and in which said hydraulic fluid flow control and transfer means are adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic pump means to said hydraulically operable advance-retract mechanism.

11. A vehicle as defined in claim 10 which vehicle additionally includes hydraulically operable stabilizing legs and a second hydraulic fluid control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from said stabilizing legs.

12 A vehicle as defined in claim 9 in which said first and second ground-engaging members comprise wheels, in which said third ground-engaging member comprises a steerable wheel pivotally mounted on said longitudinally extending structural frame member, which vehicle additionally includes brake means adapted releasably to prevent movement of said vehicle, and in which said brake means comprises a pair of retractably mounted mudguards adapted releasably, under the control of brake control means, peripherally to engage a respective one of said transversely spaced apart wheels to prevent rotation thereof.

13. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said structural frame member of said chassis structure which extends longitudinally from said transversely disposed structural frame thereof is adjustably and detachably secured to said transversely disposed structural frame. 

1. A vehicle adapted and designed to support one or more rock drill guiding and supporting devices, said vehicle being characterized in that it comprises and is substantially bounded, as viewed in plan by A. The integument of a substantially T-shaped chassis structure including i. an elongated longitudinally extending chassis member representing the leg of said T, ii. an elongated transversely extending chassis member representing the arms of said T, and iii. ground engaging members in the vicinity of the distal ends of said elongated member for supporting the said chassis structure elevated above ground level, at least one of said elongated members being hollow to accommodate a vehicle operating fluid, said chassis structure thereby being rotatable about the vertical axis of said longitudinal and transverse members and having substantial accommodation for manual drill guiding alongside said longitudinal chassis member and within the interior angles formed by said longitudinal chassis member and said transverse members, and B. fluid flow control and transfer means for controlling the flow of said vehicle operated fluid from within said hollow member to a vehicle operating means of said vehicle.
 2. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to receive compressed air from a supply line, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of compressed air from within said hollow structural member to a pneumatically operated rock drill mounted on said vehicle.
 3. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to receive compressed air from a supply line, which vehicle additionally includes a pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure adjustably mounted on said vehicle, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of air from within said hollow structural member to said pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure.
 4. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 which vehicle additionally comprises a pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure adjustably mounted on said vehicle and second fluid flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of air from within said hollow structural member of said chassis structure to said pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure.
 5. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to receive water from a supply line, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of water from within said hollow structural member to a rock drill mounted on said vehicle and having a hollow drill steel for drill hole-flushing purposes.
 6. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said hollow structural member of said chassis structure is adapted to accommodate hydraulic fluid, which vehicle additionally comprises hydraulic pump means adapted to pump hydraulic fluid from within said hollow structural member of said chassis structure, and in which said fluid flow control and transfer means is adapted to control the flow of said hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic pump means to a vehicle operation means of said vehicle.
 7. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 which comprises a plurality of said fluid flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of vehicle operation fluid from within said hollow structural member of said chassis structure to a corresponding number of vehicle operation means.
 9. A vehicle adapted to support one or more rock drill guiding and supporting structures, which vehicle comprises a T-frame chassis structure including a transversely disposed structural frame having transversely spaced apart first and second ground-engaging members mounted thereon, and a structural frame member extending longitudinally from said transversely disposed structural frame, and having a third ground-engaging member mounted thereon, said chassis structure including a first hollow structural member and a second hollow structural member, said first hollow structural member being adapted to receive compressed air from an air supply line, said second hollow structural member being adapted to receive water from a water supply line, said vehicle comprising first and second air flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of air from within said first hollow structural member to a pneumatically operated drill guiding and supporting structure adjustably mounted on said vehicle, and to a pneumatically operated rock drill supported on said drill guiding and supporting structure, water flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of water for drill hole-flushing purposes from within said second hollow structural member to said pneumatically operated rock drill, said drill being adapted to operate with a hollow drill steel, said chassis structure also including a third hollow structural member adapted to accommodate a hydraulic fluid and which vehicle additionally comprises hydraulic pump means adapted to pump hydraulic fluid from within said third hollow structural member, and hydraulic fluid flow control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic pump means to a hydraulically operated vehicle operation means.
 10. A vehicle as defined in claim 9 which vehicle includes hydraulically operable advance-retract mechanism for moving said pneumatically operated, drill guiding and supporting structure relative to said chassis structure, and in which said hydraulic fluid flow control and transfer means are adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid from said hydraulic pump means to said hydraulically operable advance-retract mechanism.
 11. A vehicle as defined in claim 10 which vehicle additionally includes hydraulically operable stabilizing legs and a second hydraulic fluid control and transfer means adapted to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from said stabilizing legs. 12 A vehicle as defined in claim 9 in which said first and second ground-engaging members comprise wheels, in which said third ground-engaging member comprises a steerable wheel pivotally mounted on said longitudinally extending structural frame member, which vehicle additionally includes brake means adapted releasably to prevent movement of said vehicle, and in which said brake means comprises a pair of retractably mounted mudguards adapted releasably, under the control of brake control means, peripherally to engage a respective one of said transversely spaced apart wheels to prevent rotation thereof.
 13. A vehicle as defined in claim 1 in which said structural frame member of said chassis structure which extends longitudinally from said transversely disposed structural frame thereof is adjustably and detachably secured to said transversely disposed structural frame. 